Kill Hannah
"Wake Up The Sleepers"

(Original Signal Recordings 2009) Kill Hannah - Wake Up The Sleepers

At one time, Kill Hannah could write a pretty catchy tune. The futuristic sounding electro-rockers have always fallen somewhere between the industrial alt-rock of Nine Inch Nails and the fun, carefree feel of the dance floor. Take, for example, their sexed up track “I Wanna Be A Kennedy.” These days the band has better production values and are no longer Chicago’s best kept secret. On their newest full-length, “Wake Up The Sleepers,” Kill Hannah take some small risks but mostly play it pretty safe.

Kill Hannah are straightforward with “Wake Up The Sleepers.” It’s an unspoken message of “turn it up loud and let’s get it on.” Gritty electronics pound like an old Orgy track on probably the album’s best tune, “New York City Speed.” Elsewhere the oddly likable “Why I Have My Grandma’s Sad Eyes” balances delicate verses with heavy electronics while “TOKYO (Dance In The Dust)” drops the charade and just goes for a pounding dance track with a cheering chant spelling “Tokyo.”

With “Wake Up The Sleepers” being Kill Hannah’s first since departing from Atlantic Records, where they released two albums, now seems like the perfect time to go for broke and try something new or experiment with their sound. After all, these guys have been around, in some form or another, for over a decade. And in some ways, they do stretch their sound. But for the same reason, the album sticks close to their formula of a large, powerful sound accented with throbbing electronics and soaring choruses. At the end of the day, “Wake Up The Sleepers” sounds true to Kill Hannah.

C+

buy it!

- Corinne

posted September 4, 2009

More Kill Hannah...

Free Music:

Interviews

Photos

Reviews

News

Comments

  • danedragon @ October 5, 2009 2:42 pm

    This album is amazing! Anyone who hasn't checked it out already definitely needs to. Wake Up The Sleepers is Kill Hannah's best album so far and I've had it on constant repeat since I bought it on the release day. If you don't own it already, what are you waiting for? Go buy it!!!

  • EmilyTFT @ October 4, 2009 8:47 pm

    It's finally here! Words cannot describe how much this band means to me; I've been patiently waiting for new music since their 2006 album Until There's Nothing Left of Us. Each song is different on Wake Up the Sleepers, and in a good way - you can see how they draw different influences from different bands. There's no one else like them; they are my absolute favorite. So buy it now!

  • VioletSerraph @ October 1, 2009 5:59 pm

    i just got my copy and i SRONGLY suggest to EVERYONE to pick up a copy where ever they can! i decided i was going to buy this album after hearing only ONE song off of it at one of their shows. (not to say that the other 4 sneek peeks were not enjoyed). i went home that night and got online to pre-order. NO REGRETS! danceable beats, edgey lyrics that also have meaning.... who could ask for more? it holds up all Kill HannaH fans' expectations while still being fresh and new!

  • emiliecashh @ October 1, 2009 12:38 pm

    Wake Up The Sleepers was released on 09/29/09 and the proudest album of Kill Hannah's career. Going back to the way things were when they were doing it themselves,m producing the album themselves and promoting the band after shows themselves, they return to that mentality and give fans what they are really looking for when it comes to their music and what to expect. The title, "Wake Up The Sleepers" is a call to the music industry as is is today, where people are caring less and only looking at the business side and forgetting what its all about; the music. This album is a fantastic mix of dance songs with heavier undertones and darker themes. The lyrics are more in depth and personal and Mat Devine's vocals are on point all the way. This album is completely worth every penny. You may purchase the album at Killhannah.com, iTunes, and amazon.com.

Please login to leave a comment.

Please Sign In